What makes solid stool

Constipation and diarrhea both involve concerns with the passage of stool. But while constipation is infrequent bowel activity or difficulty passing stool, diarrhea refers to loose or watery stools.

Different factors can trigger either symptom, such as:. Regardless of the underlying cause, though, constipation and diarrhea occur when intestinal contractions either speed up or slow down.

Gut contractions help move stool through the colon. But sometimes, the muscles contract too much or too little. However, if constipation or diarrhea become your consistent stool pattern, speak with a primary care doctor. They may recommend treatments or refer you to a specialist called a gastroenterologist who can perform further testing.

While it may not look like it, poop is about three-fourths water. The remainder is a collection of materials that includes:. Bilirubin is what gives poop its usual brown color. If this goes on for too long, it starts to pose a risk to your safety and can damage your organs. This is why pooping is so important for your health. Pooping is part physical, part mental. Water and fiber: These are two major components of poop that are part of your diet.

Making efforts to drink more water daily can help make your bowel movements easier to pass. This adds bulk to your stool, which stimulates the bowels to move and propel your stool forward. Foods that contain fiber include:. Instead, try to add a serving every 5 days to allow your digestive tract time to acclimate itself to the increased fiber. When this is the case, cutting out foods that can irritate the stomach can help.

Examples to cut from your diet include:. Try cutting out these foods to see if your bowel movements are less watery. You can also keep a food and symptom diary to identify connections between the foods you eat and the symptoms you experience. Hard stools can build up in the digestive tract, causing damage to its lining. Complications from hard stool can include:.

Ideally, these methods are a short-term solution. If your hard stool causes significant medical problems, such as an intestinal blockage or rectal prolapse, you may require surgery. That is usually a last attempt to correct an underlying problem. You may need to seek emergency medical attention if you see blood in your stool that seems to be increasing in amount. Otherwise, you should seek medical help if your hard stools are bothering you. Hard poop can be a symptom of lifestyle factors, medications taken, or an underlying medical condition.

There are several different approaches to treatment that can make stool easier to pass. Starting these sooner rather than later can help prevent serious medical problems, such as a bowel obstruction. Over-the-counter treatments for constipation can cause unintended side effects of their own. Coconut oil is a common home remedy for constipation. Here's a look at how it works and how to use it.

Benefiber and Metamucil are fiber supplements that fight constipation. Learn how they compare. We asked doctors to investigate whether claims about the Squatty Potty are true or false.

Is there an average number of times a day you should poop, and what are some of the factors that affect frequency? Learn what typical bowel movements should include, as well as tips to poop more…. Laxatives can help relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements.

Learn more about natural laxatives. Citrucel powder is a type of fiber supplement used for constipation. This article explains its uses, effectiveness, and potential side effects. Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems.

Chronic constipation is when your symptoms continue for at least three months. It is possible to have a daily bowel movement and still experience hard stools.

Hard stools can lead to straining while you poop. Besides being uncomfortable, this can cause hemorrhoids and anal fissures, tears in the lining of the anus. Straining to pass hard stools can even cause rectal prolapse, where part of the large intestine slips out of your anus. You can use the tips below to help relieve and prevent hard stools.

If your problem persists, you should see your healthcare provider. These tips cover hard stools with and without constipation. Pooping between three times a day and three times a week is normal.

Most people have a set bowel movement pattern. Infrequent bowel movements are a common cause of hard stools. If you experience constipation often, you should see your healthcare provider and find out what may be causing the problem.

You may feel uncomfortable talking about your symptoms, but you need to be specific. It helps to keep a journal of your bowel movements and symptoms to show your healthcare provider. An accurate diagnosis is essential in coming up with the proper treatment. If your healthcare provider says constipation is your problem, you may want to ask about self-care for constipation and treatment for chronic constipation. There is some evidence that increasing soluble fiber may prevent hard stools.

It's recommended that adults should get between 25 and 31 grams of fiber each day. However, studies show most Americans fall far short of this and get an average of about 16 grams of fiber a day. Soluble fiber dissolves in water, softening the stool. You can increase your soluble fiber by eating most fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Flaxseed , chia seeds , and psyllium are other good sources of soluble fiber. You've probably heard many times that staying hydrated is essential.

When you don't drink enough fluids, your body draws more water out of your stool. This causes hard stools. One of the easiest things you can do to keep your stool soft is to keep a water bottle nearby and drink water throughout the day.

You might also need to cut back on how much caffeine and alcohol you drink. Alcohol and caffeine can cause dehydration. So if you choose to have a beer, glass of wine, or an extra cup of coffee, follow it up with a nice, tall glass of water. If you're like many people, you put off bowel movements during the day.

There are lots of reasons for doing this. You don't want to go to the bathroom at work. You're too busy. You prefer going in the comfort of your own home.

However, hard stools are a sign that your poop is spending too much time in your colon. So tune in to your body's needs and go when you have to.

If you want to avoid going at work, there are ways to retrain your bowel. They include sticking to set meal times and scheduling your bowel movements for a specific time each day. Stool softeners are over-the-counter products that soften the stool and help you go. They reduce the amount of fluid that your intestines absorb and leave more water in your stool.

They trigger a bowel movement within 12 to 72 hours. The primary ingredient in over-the-counter stool softeners is docusate sodium. Common brand names of these products include:. Stool softeners are a form of stimulant laxative that are generally considered a safer option, but only when used now and then. Some studies have shown that taking psyllium works better than stool softeners.

Researchers studied people with chronic constipation for two weeks. They treated some of them with stool softeners. The others got orange-flavored Metamucil. The psyllium group had more water in their stools after just three days.

Psyllium can also help lower cholesterol levels. Abdominal self-massage has been studied as a treatment for constipation. It may stimulate the muscles involved in producing bowel movements and reduce stress.

Biofeedback can also help people with constipation. Biofeedback is a mind-body therapy that helps you learn to control how your body functions. Many healthcare providers recommend probiotics for patients with constipation. However, a review of 18 studies found there's not enough evidence to show this is helpful. Other alternative therapies that have not been proven to work include acupuncture and acupressure.